Sr Controls Engineer - Altavista, VA

Thornton Tomasetti; Virginia, Northern (MN, KY); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Nutrition in Altavista, VA is seeking a Sr Controls Engineer to provide technical leadership on design, development, and optimization of packaging and wet processing equipment. You will oversee installation, validation, and commissioning of manufacturing systems, including PLC programming and HMI/SCADA development.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and at least 5 years' experience in regulated manufacturing environments; FDA/USDA exposure is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in process/manufacturing systems.
• Experience in FDA/USDA regulated facilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on design, development, implementation, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting of packaging and wet processing equipment.
• Oversee installation and integration of manufacturing systems including wet processing, filling and secondary packaging.
• Lead or support design of electrical control system drawings and specifications; develop validation and commissioning protocols.
• Provide post-startup support and review equipment specs, drawings and vendor proposals.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA programming

Electrical control systems

Root cause analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Delta-V

ControlLogix

CompactLogix

FactoryTalk View SE/ME

Ignition

iFix

Job description

## Sr Controls Engineer - Altavista, VAApply: United States - Virginia - Altavista: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 9, 2026 (14 days left to apply): 31162904Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.## **JOB DESCRIPTION:****Working at Abbott**At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:* Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.* Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.* An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution* Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.* A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.* A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. **The Opportunity****This position works out of our Altavista, VA location in the Abbott Nutrition division.** Our Nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac, PediaSure, Pedialyte, Ensure, and Glucerna – to help them get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest lives. **Altavista, Va.**, is one of Abbott’s largest nutrition manufacturing plants equipped with advanced technology to ensure efficient production. Working here will make you feel like you’re part of a family that works together to make a difference and help nourish millions of families around the world.**What You’ll Work On*** Provide technical leadership on design, development, implementation, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting of packaging and wet processing equipment**Oversight of installation and integration of manufacturing systems including wet processing, filling and secondary packaging:*** PLC programming in Delta-V, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms* HMI/SCADA programming in FactoryTalk View SE/ME, Ignition, iFix* Temperature / pressure / level / conductivity / PH / vibration instrumentation, sensors, and other field I/O devices* Manufacturing networks and electrical MCCs and PDUs**As part of a cross-functional project team, lead or assist with electrical control system design/improvement projects including, but not limited to:*** Preparing cost estimates, bid packages and outlining equipment specifications* Participating in the design of P&ID diagrams and electrical schematics* Developing validation and commissioning protocols and executing factory and site acceptance tests for constructed equipment or systems* Provide post-startup support for constructed equipment and systems* Review equipment and instrument specifications, construction drawings, plant layout, vendor proposals and provide feedback on needed changes**You’ll be accountable for meeting our compliance standards including FDA, OSHA and Abbott policies and procedures.** **Required Qualifications*** A Bachelors Degree in Engineering or closely related discipline.* Minimum of 5 years of experience, applying engineering knowledge, problem solving, and ingenuity to complete assignments related to process/manufacturing systems.* Experience in validated processes and systems* Systems troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis experience**Preferred Qualifications*** Experience working in an FDA/USDA regulated facility* Demonstrated technical experience preferably with fillers, seamers, cappers, primary equipment (depalletizers, unscramblers, air rinsers), secondary equipment (labelers, conveyors, coders, vision systems, rejection systems, casepackers), wet processing equipment (mixers, homogenizers, heat exchangers, CIP systems) and tertiary equipment (palletizers, stretch wrappers* Experience in project management including budget and scope management* Strong communication skills including managing internal/external stakeholders* Experience in managing engineering firms, suppliers, and contractors **Apply Now** **Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:** www.abbottbenefits.comFollow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Military/Veteran friendly Employer, committed to employee diversity. Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott, and on Twitter @AbbottNews.**The base pay for this position is**$78,000.00 – $156,000.00In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.## **JOB FAMILY:**Engineering## **DIVISION:**ANSC Nutrition Supply Chain## **LOCATION:**United States > Altavista : Building 1## **ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:**## **WORK SHIFT:**Standard## **TRAVEL:**No## **MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:**No## **SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:**Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO\\_English.pdfEEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO\\_Spanish.pdf